Effects of damping materials on heavy-weight impact noise in reinforcement

Abstract

Damping materials for reducing heavy-weight floor impact noise in reinforced concrete structures were tested in apartment buildings. The effect of damping materials and an impact isolator were compared in an on-site experiment conducted in a high-rise apartment building. The results showed that the resonance frequency increased and vibration acceleration level decreased when the damping materials were used. Heavy-weight impact sound levels of the structure decreased substantially at 63Hz, whereas the sound levels of the structure with the impact isolator increased. Subjective evaluation of the perceptual effects of the damping material and the impact isolator were also conducted in the laboratory.